Former Sunderland ace now pundit Kevin Phillips has told Football Insider that he is not in favour of having a director of football at Newcastle United.
As per the outlet, the ex-England international claimed that managers should have total power over transfers as he is the person that has to work with the players on a daily basis.
Phillips recalled his negative experiences with directors of football from his time as a coach at Derby County and Leicester City, saying: “I am not in favour of it but I understand that is the way the football is going.
“Having worked as a coach at Derby and Leicester, I have been in meetings with Directors of Football and when their opinions differ from the manager’s it can cause friction and confusion. It can cause problems.
“I understand why they are there but the manager should have the say on the players he wants at the football club because he is the one that has to coach them and play them in the game.
“If you get it wrong then you do not have any grumbles. If you get the sack you hold your hands up.
“However, when you have got someone trying to get a player over your head it can cause real problems. I am not a big fan.”
[freshpress-quiz id=”292665”]
Indeed, a shiny new director of football in the North East may provide a statement for the would-be owners as they look to kick off a brand new era at St. James’ Park without the likes of Mike Ashley.
However, the prospective takeover has not yet happened as the Tyneside club as well as the Saudi-led consortium are awaiting confirmation and approval from the Premier League as to if and when the deal will be finalised.
Nevertheless, as Phillips suggests, a director of football may perhaps raise more problems than solutions for the Magpies. This would not give full control to the coach, whether it is Steve Bruce or whoever it might be, over important elements such as incoming and outgoing transfers that would directly affect the shaping of the squad.
Moreover, if the director of football is involved, then bosses may not have too much of a say and thus may end up with a team that they are unhappy with, which could affect the side’s performance and morale in a negative way on the pitch.
